27. People v de la Cruz G.R. No. 139626-27. June 26, 2001 wrote down what accused-appellant dictated to her.

GONZAGA-REYES, J On 23 June 1998, She told Rosalina Lamsen, about her horrific ordeal. The
following day, Rosalina Lamsen told her brother, SPO1 Juan Lamsen, about the
FACTS: accusations of complainant against accused-appellant[
18 Feb 1998, her aunt, Rosalina Lamsen, and her uncle, SPO1 Juan Lamsen, took
Diana Lamsen(then 17yo) to the house of Virginia dela Cruz, a known faith Diana had the two incidents of rape blottered at the Malasiqui Police Station
healer in the municipality and the wife of Domingo de la Cruz. where she also executed an affidavit detailing her harrowing ordeal at the hands
of accused-appellant. She also submitted herself to a physical examination at the
Diana was then suffering from fainting spells and she often lost consciousness. hands of the medico-legal of the San Carlos General Hospital.
Because allegedly the complainant was being possessed by bad spirits, it was
decided that she was to stay at the house of Virginia dela Cruz for observation The results of the medico-legal examination showed that there were old
and treatment of her illness. She eventually stayed at the house of the dela Cruz complete lacerations at the 3:00 and 8:00 positions of her sex organ[
spouses until 22 June 1998.
Domingo dela Cruz was charged in 2 separate informations filed before the RTC
8 April 1998: Diana felt sick and went inside the chapel of Virginia dela Cruz for of San Carlos City, Pangasinan for 2 counts of rape punishable under A266-A of
treatment. While inside the chapel, she lost consciousness. When she woke up, the RPC.
she felt something hard inside her private part. She then opened her eyes and it
was then that she saw Domingo about to withdraw from her and put on his During the arraignment on both indictments, accused-appellant pleaded not
briefs. She then looked at herself and noticed that she was no longer wearing guilty.
her panties. Before Domingo left, he allegedly threatened that he would kill her --------------------
if she would report the incident. The defense presented a different version of what transpired. While accused-
appellant admitted previously having sexual intercourse with the victim, he
early hours of 8 June 1998: 7 June 1998, at around 11:30 p.m., after playing bingo, claims that these were consensual as they were having an illicit affair. He denies,
she felt dizzy and so she proceeded to her room in the 2nd floor of the house of however, having had sexual intercourse with the complainant on the two dates
de la Cruz. She then fell asleep. When she woke up, accused-appellant was mentioned in the informations. In support of his claim that they were lovers, he
already on top of her body and he was making a pumping movement. She tried recalled particular instances where he and complainant accused-appellant were
to shout but accused-appellant covered her mouth with a towel with his right intimate and he produced a letter allegedly written by complainant confirming
hand and held her shoulder with his left hand. Because of accused-appellants their relationship.
weight, she was not able to free herself. Afterwards, accused-appellant again
threatened her with death if she would report the incident to anyone. Accused-appellants version of the events was corroborated by the testimonies of
his brother, Tirso dela Cruz, and his wife, Virginia dela Cruz.
A few days after, accused-appellant approached the complainant while the latter ----------------------
was doing her assignment. He allegedly dictated to her and forced her to write a On 21 June 1999, the court a quo rendered judgment finding accused-appellant
note to ensure that would make it seem that complainant and accused-appellant Domingo dela Cruz guilty of the two counts of rape. Penalty: RP.
were having an illicit, but consensual, love affair. Because of her desire to go
back home and due to her fear of accused-appellant, she did as she was told and WON Domingo de la Cruz is guilty of rape
Held: Yes
3 principles in reviewing rape cases:
(1) an accusation for rape can be made with facility; it is difficult to prove but
more difficult for the person accused, though innocent, to disprove;
(2) in view of the intrinsic nature of the crime of rape where 2 persons are
usually involved, the testimony of the complainant must be scrutinized with
extreme caution; and
(3) the evidence for the prosecution must stand or fall on its own merits, and
cannot be allowed to draw strength from the weakness of the evidence for the
defense.
After a careful perusal of the testimony of the witnesses in this case and a
review of the findings and conclusions of the trial court, the Court found no
reason to overturn the findings of the trial court regarding the credibility of
Diana Lamsen, the rape victim.
In a straightforward and categorical manner, the complainant narrated her
ordeal at the hands of accused-appellant without any serious or material
contradiction.
Diana's narration of the events is more credible and real because it is more in
accord with human experience and with the evidence presented, unlike
accused-appellants version. It is not disputed that complainant suffered from
fainting spells as this was the very reason why she was left by her guardians at
the house of accused-appellant. And it is because of such fainting spells that
accused-appellant was able to consummate his sexual assault on complainant.
Appellant would want this Court to further believe that it was actually the
complainant who was the aggressor and who initiated their romantic liaisons.
Evidence to be believed must not only come from a credible source but must also
be credible in itself such as one that the common experience and observation of
mankind can approve as probable under the circumstances.
The Court has previously taken judicial cognizance of the fact that in rural areas
in this country, young ladies by custom and tradition act with circumspection
and prudence, and that great caution is observed so that their reputation
remains untainted. It is highly unbelievable that the complainant would have
participated in, much less initiated these alleged romantic trysts. More so if you
consider the fact that according to accused-appellant, there were instances
when they made love under the very noses of their relatives and friends. Surely
if there was indeed an illicit affair between the two, they could have been more
circumspect and prudent in their choice of places for their sexual congress.
because the complainant tempted accused-appellant by being sweet to him and
embracing and kissing him. During the period of their affair, they allegedly
made love or were sweet to each other in, among other places, the bathroom
and sala in the house of accused-appellant, the living room in the house of
accused-appellants father, various motels and lodges, and the bedroom of
accused-appellant. Moreover, accused-appellant claims that during these
instances, it was almost always complainant who initiated their amorous acts.
With respect to the testimonial evidence of the defense, the trial court correctly
ruled them out as they came from admittedly biased witnesses who did not want
accused-appellant to go to jail.

Moreover, we have often repeated that under no circumstance would a young With respect to the letter, the existence of the same was sufficiently explained
Filipina of decent repute publicly admit that she has been criminally abused and by complainant in her direct and rebuttal testimonies. The complainant does
ravished unless that is the truth.[46] Her lack of sophistication, coupled with the not deny writing the letter but she insists that she was forced by accused-
direct and simple manner in which she described her ordeal are likewise indicia appellant.
of truthfulness.
DECISION: RTC's decision, affirmed. De la Cruz (1) took advantage of Diana's
This description and narration of accused-appellant of his alleged affair with state of unconsciousness and raped her. (2) threatened complainant with death
complainant is quite hard to accept as true. It is difficult enough to give and used force on her in consummating his crime.
credence to his allegation that a seventeen (17) year-old barrio lass would
consent to have an amorous affair with a married man almost twice her age.